Key operated lock mechanism



April 1, 1952 1.. E. WlLLETT ET AL 2,591,111

KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM Filed June 20. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. lid/v i. wxzztrr RA 7M 0N0 6. BAX! April 1, 1952 L. E. WlLLETTET AL KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20. 19497/1. rill R m Mn N m M W. r mwe w April 2 1.. E. WILLETT ET AL 2,591,111

KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM Filed June 20. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. At'O/Y E. W/ZLA-TT B/FA YMCA/0 6. 6461-7? v/mdmm W PatentedApr. 1, 1952 KEY OPERATED LOCK MECHANISM Leon E. Willett and Raymond G.Baker, Detroit, Mich, assignors to Chamberlin Company of America,Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application June 20, 1949,Serial No. 100,106

13 Claims. (01. 70-355) lhis invention relates generally to key operatedlocking mechanism of the type suitable for use on swinging closures,such for example, as screens, windows and doors.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a lock havinglatching tumblers releasable from either side of the look by a bit typekey and having provision for resisting unauthorized operation of thelook by instruments other than the key.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock having a freelyrotatable central hub and having an operating member supported forrotation about the hub axis. In accordance with this invention theoperating member is normally held against rotation by a tumblerextending along one side of the hub and pivoted intermediate the ends onthe operating member for rocking movement about an axis substantiallyparallel to the hub One end of the tumbler has-an abutment urged byspring means into latching engagement with a fixed shoulder to hold theoperating member against rotation, and the other end of the tumbler hasa cam positioned to register with a land on the key bit. The arrangementis such that rotation of the key in one direction engages the land withthe cam, and rocks the tumbler against the action of the spring means torelease the abutment from the shoulder. As a result continued rotationof the key in the above direction imparts a rotative movement of theoperating member in a corresponding direction.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a plurality oftumblers pivoted on the operating member in juxtaposition to each otherfor rocking movement independently of one another and respectivelycoacting with a corresponding number of lands on the key bit to releasethe operating member. According to the present invention the tumblersand lands on the key bit are symmetrically arranged to enable releasingthe tumblers by the key regardless of whether the keyis inserted intothe look from the inner or outer sides of the latter.

A still further feature of this invention is to provide a lock of theabove general type wherein provision is made on the key engaging ends ofthe tumblers for engaging a second fixed shoulder to latch the operatingmember in the event one or more of the tumblers are rocked beyond theirreleased positions. This feature renders it extremely diflicult torelease the tumblers by instruments other than the key intended for thispurpose.

The foregoing as Well as other objects will be made more apparent asthis description proceeds,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-4 of Figure 8;

Figures 5 to 9 inclusive are sectional views showing the relationship ofthe various parts of the lock in diil'erent position; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the manner in which the lockoperates to prevent unauthorized release by instruments other than thekey.

The lock'assembly forming the subject matter of this invention has manyand diversified uses. However, it is particularly suitable for use inconnection with either detention screens or doors, and is shown hereinfor the purpose of illustration as installed on a detention screen doorstructure.

The various parts of the lock assembly are shown in detail in Figure 1of the drawings, and it will be noted that these parts are relativelysimple in design, enabling the same to be economically manufactured on aproduction basis. Certain of the above parts cooperate with one anotherto form a case It) of a size to permit installation of the lock in asmall space. In detail the parts forming the case comprise end plates Hand I2 separated from one another by an annular spacer in the form of asplit ring I3. The ring l3 has circumferentially spaced lugs 14projecting from opposite edges thereof, and engageable in alignedopenings I5 formed in the end plates to properly position the ringrelative to these plates. The end plates are secured together with thespacer l3 clamped therebetween by machine screws i6 which respectivelyextend through the aligned openings iii in the plates.

The end plates are further formed with substantially centrally disposedaligned openings I! and with slots it which extend from correspondingsides of the openings It. The openings IT and slots I8 coact to form keyholes of a shape to freely receive a bit type key I9 to be presentlydescribed. In this connection it is pointed out that the end plate l2serves as a mounting plate for securing the lock assembly to suitablesupporting structure, and is formed with a second slot 20. The slot 20extends outwardly from the opening I! in diametrically opposedrelationship to the slot l8, and renders the mounting plate |2 of thecase adaptable for either right or left hand installations. The plate IIis symmetrical, and as a consequence, may be used for either right orleft hand installations.

Freely rotatably supported in the case it between the end plates and I2is a hub 2|. The opposite ends 22 of the hub 2| are reduced in diameter,and are respectively rotatably supported in the openings H in the endplates. The hub 2| is bored to provide a central opening 23therethrough, and is formed with a slot 24 extending for the full lengthof the hub from one side of the opening 23 to the periphery of the hub.The opening 23 is of sufiicient diameter to freely receive the pin 25 ofthe key shank I9, and the slot 24 is adapted to register with the slotsIS in the end plates to freely receive the bit 26, Which pro jectslaterally outwardly from the pin or key shank.

A :pair of operating members 21 and 28 are respectively rotatablysupported in the case l9 adjacent the inner surfaces of the end plates Iand I2. The operating members have arcuate portions 29, andthe hub 2|has axially spaced annular stops 36 which form bearing surfaces forrespectively engaging the inner "surfaces of the arcuate portions 29 onthe operating members Hand 28. 1

A spacer block 3| is interposed between the operating members at one endof the arcuate portions 29, and is secured to both operating members bya machine screw 32. Also the operating members are angularly locatedwith respect to one another by pins 33 and 34. The pin 33 extendsthrough the spacer block 3| and the oppo-- site ends thereof projectinto aligned openings 35 formed in the operating members. The pin 34 isdiametrically opposed with respect to the pin 33 and also extendsthrough aligned openings 36 in the operating members. Thus the operatingmembers and the spacer block are rotatable as a unit relative to the hub2| about the axis of the latter.

The operating members are also formed with lugs 31 which projectlaterally outwardly from the ends of the operating members opposite theends thereof which are clamped to the spacer block 3| by the screw 32.tively project through arcuate recesses 38 formed in opposite edges ofthe annular spacer l3 at. one side of the latter. Also the lugs 3'! havealigned openings. 39 therethrough for attachment to suitable latchmechanism to be hereinafter de-.

scribed. 7

The operating members are normally held against rotation about the axisof the tube 2| by a plurality of tumblers. The number of tumblers may bevaried, but for the purpose of illustration, three tumblers are shown,and are designated in the drawings by the numerals 40, 4| and 42. Thetumblers are generally arcuate in configuration, and are located withinthe case In between the operating members in juxtaposition to oneanother at one side of the hub 2|. As shown particularly in Figure l ofthe drawings, the tumblers have aligned openings 43 intermediate theends thereof for receiving the positioning pin 34, and are therebycapable of independent rocking movement about the axis of the pin 34,which is parallel to the axis of the hub 2|.

The tumblers have outwardly extending lugs 44 at corresponding ends, andthese lugs are adapted to extend through an opening 45 formed in the Thelugs 31 respec-.

adjacent side of the annular spacer |3. One side of the opening 45provides a shoulder 49 for engagement by the lugs 44. When the lugs arepositioned to engage the shoulder 46, rotation of the operating members21 and 28 is prevented, and the lugs are normally urged to this positionby means of an arcuate spring 41. One end of the spring 41 is engaged ina slot 48 formed in one end of the spacer block 3|. The opposite end ofthe spring 41 is formed to provide three fingers 49, which respectivelyengage the tumblers at the inner sides of the lugs 44 to urge the latteroutwardly into the opening 45. In this connection it will be noted fromFigure l of the drawings that the tumblers are provided with notches 50which form seats for the sprin fingers 49.

The ends of the tumblers opposite the lugs 44 are formed with cams 5|,and these cams are positioned for engagement with the bit 26 on the keywhen the latter is inserted in the look as shown in Figures 4 to 9inclusive. The end tumblers 40 and 42 are identical in design, and thecams 5| assume the same relationship to the bit 26 on the key. Theintermediate tumbler 4|, on the other hand, is of somewhat differentdesign in that the cam 5| is actually offset inwardly toward the hub 2|.It will be observed from Figure l of the drawings that the hub 2| isprovided with an annular groove 5| of sufficient size to freelyaccommodate the inwardly projecting cam 5| on the intermediate tumbler4|. It will also be seen from Figure 7 of the drawings that theintermediate tumbler 4| has an arcuate inwardly extending projection 52intermediate the ends which engages in the groove 5| and serves toposition the intermediate tumbler 4| centrally between the end tumblers40 and 42.

The bit 26 on the key is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings as having aland 53 intermediate the ends thereof and as having lands 54 and 55symmetrically arranged at opposite sides of the land 53. The lands 54and 55 are spaced equal distances outwardly from the axis of the key,and the land 53 is spaced a lesser distance from the axis of the key.The arrangement is such that insertion of the key into the look fromeither side of the latter registers the lands 55 and 54 with the cams 5|on the end tumblers 40 and 42 respectively, and the land 53 registerswith the cam 5| on the intermediate tumbler 4|. Thus rotation of the keyin a direction toward the cam ends of the tumblers engages the lands onthe bit 26 with the cams 5| on the respective tumblers, and swings thetumblers about the axis of the pin 34 to disengage the lugs 44 from theshoulders 46, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. Continued rotationof the key in the above named direction imparts a rotative movement tolatter position the lugs 44 on the tumblers again register with theopening 45, and the tumblers are actuated by the spring 41 to extend thelugs through the opening 45 into engagement with the shoulder 46. Itwill be understood that upon return movement of the key from theposition shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 5, the bit onthe key engages the spacer block 3| and adjacent ends of the operatingmembers to return the latter to their latched positions.

Attention is now called to the fact that each tumbler has an outwardlyextending projection 56 at .the cam end, and the annular spacer 13 hasan opening 51 therethrough which registers with the projections 56 inthe latched position of the lock shown in Figures '5 to 7 inclusive.During normal operation of the lock, the projections 56 are alwaysspaced inwardly from the opening 51, and do not interfere withmanipulation of the lock by the key. However, should an attempt be madeto pick the lock, or in other words, to move the tumblers to theirreleased positions by inserting an instrument 59 (Figure through the"key hole, the projections 55 on at least one of the tumblers would, inall probability, extend through the opening 51 in the manner shown inFigure 10. Thus rotation of the operating members to their releasedpositions is prevented by engagement of the projection or projectionsextending into the opening 51 with a shoulder 60 forming one side of theopening 51.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, it will be noted thatthe lock is mounted on an upright frame bar 61, which in the presentinstance, forms the swinging side of a suitable door. The outer edge ofthe bar 6! is formed with a lateral flange 62 terminating in an inwardlyextending flange B3. The inner edge portion of the bar 6| is curvedlaterally, and terminates in an outwardly extending flange 64. A plate65 is welded or otherwise secured to the flange 63, and the inner edgeportion of the plate has an outwardly extending flange 66 which coactswith the flange 64 to receive the adjacent edge portion of a screen orpanel 61 therebetween.

The lock is supported in the space between the bar BI and plate 65 withthe lock plate [2 seated on the inner surface of the bar Bl. As shown inFigure 1 of the drawings one side of the plate I2 is formed withdiverging arms 68 having lugs 69 at the extremities extending throughslots 10 formed in the flange 62 of the frame bar 6|. The opposite sideof the plate l2 has spaced laterally extending arms 1| which have a.wedging engagement with the inner edge of the flange 64 in the mannerclearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. The arms 1| areconnected by a web 12 which is bowed laterally outwardly to occupy aposition beneath the flange 64 after the lock is positioned on the bar6|. The bar BI .and in the present instance, the plate 65 are formedwith key hole slots 13 in registration with the key holes in the lock.

The lugs 31 on the operating members 21 and 28 are connected to theinner ends of a pair of rods 15 by a pin 16 extending through thealigned openings 39 in the lugs 3.1. The rods 15 extend in oppositedirections from the pin 16 along the inner-side of the flange 65 and theouter ends of the rods are respectively pivotally connected to the innerends of slides 11. The slides 11 are supported by guides 18 for slidingmovement in the direction of length of the frame bar BI, and are.connected to latch members in the form of bolts 19. The bolts arerespectively supported by the guides '18 for sliding movement inopposite directions perpendicular to the path of sliding movement of theslides 11, and are of sufllcient length to project through alignedopenings 80 and 8| formed in the flange 62 and adjacent flxed framestructure 82 to lock the door in its closed position.

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings the inner end portions of the bolts19 are formed with slots 83 through which the slides 11 extend, and thelatter are connected to the bolts 19 by pins 84 extending in a directiontransverse to the bolts through slots 8.5 formed in the slides 11. Theupper end portions of the slots 85 extend for some distance along therespective slides at right angles to the pins 84, and the opposite endsof the slots 85 flare laterally to the inner edge of the slides 11 toform inclined cam faces 86.

When the operating members 21 and 28 are looking in the positions shownin Figures 5 to 7 inclusive of the drawings, the bolts 19 are extended.to their operative positions shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and thepins 84 are engaged in the straight portions of the slots 85. Thus thebolts 19 cannot be moved inwardly to their released positions byapplying a force directly on the bolts. On the contrary the bolts canonly be released by manipulating the lock with the proper key. In thisconnection it will be noted that when the lock is operated by the key,the operating members are rocked to the position shown in Figure 9 ofthe drawings. As the operating members are rocked to the position shownin Figure 9, the slides 11 are moved up-- wardly by the rods 15 toengage the cam sur--.

faces 86 with the pins 84 and retract the bolts 19 to their releasedpositions. Of course return movement of the operating members to theirlocked positions shown in Figure 5 moves the slides 11 downwardlyrelative to the pins 84 on the bolts 19 and moves bolts outwardlythrough the registering openings 8| in the fixed frame 82.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A lock assembly of the type adapted for operation by a key having ashank and a bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacentone end ofthe latter, comprising a case having plates secured together in lateralspaced relationship and one of the plates having a key receiving slot, ahub rotatably supported by the plates and positioned between the latter,said hub having an opening for receiving the key shank and having a slotregisterable with the slot in said one plate for receiving the key bit,a member supported in the case for rotation about the hub axis, atumbler pivoted intermediate the ends on the member for rocking movementabout an axis substantially parallel to the hub axis, abutment means -onthe tumbler at one side of the pivot and engageable with a shoulderfixed relative to the case to prevent rotation of said member, springmeans acting upon the tumbler to urge the abutment means into engagementwith said shoulder,

cam means on the tumbler at the opposite side of the pivot and adaptedto respectively coact" with a land on the key bit upon rotation of thekey in one direction to rock the tumbler about its pivot against theaction of the spring means and disengage the abutment means from theshoulder, a second abutment means at the cam end of the tumbler, andmeans 'fixed relative to r the case engageable with the second abutmentmeans upon excessive rocking movement of the tumbler toward its releasedposition to prevent rotation of saidmember by the tumbler.

2. The lock assembly set forth in claim 1 in i which both plates of thecase have key receiving slots to enable inserting the key into the casefrom either the inner or outer sides of the case, and in which the cammeans on the tumbler are symmetrically arranged to engage the land onthe key to release the first named abutment means on the tumbler fromsaid shoulder regard- I less of whether the key is inserted into thelock from'the inner or outer sides thereof.

3. A lock assembly of the type adapted for operation by a key having ashank and having a bit'projecting laterally from the shank adjacent oneend of the latter, comprising a casing having laterally spaced platesprovided with aligned openings, a hublocated between the plates andhaving the opposite ends respectively freely rotatably supported in thealigned openings in said plates, said hub having an opening forreceiving the key shank and having a slot registerable with slots insaid plates for receiving the key bit, an operating member supported inthe case for rotation about the axis of the hub, a plurality of tumblerspivoted intermediate the ends on the operating member to one side of thehub for rock- 7 ing movement independently of one another about an axissubstantially parallel to the hub axis, abutment means on each tumblerat one side of the pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder fixedrelative to the case to prevent rotation of the operating member, springmeans normally urging the abutment means into engagement with saidshoulder, cam means on each tumbler at the opposite side of the pivotaxis and adapted to respectively coact with lands on the key bit uponrotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumblers about thepivot axis against the action of said spring means and disengage theabutment means on the tumblers from said shoulder, said cam means beingsymmetrically arranged to enable releasing the abutment means on thetumblers from said shoulder regardless of whether the key is insertedinto the lock from the inner or outer sides thereof. 7

4. A lock assembly of the type adapted for operation by a key having ashank and having a'bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacent oneend of the latter, comprising a case having laterally spaced platesprovided with aligned openings, a hub located between the plates andhaving the opposite ends respectively freely rotatably supported in thealigned openings in said plates, said hub having an opening forreceiving the key shank and having a slot registerable with slots insaid plates for receiving the key bit, an operating member supported inthe case for rotation about the axis of the hub,a plurality of tumblerspivoted intermediate the ends on the operating member to one side of thehub for rocking movement independently of one another about an axissubstantially parallel to the hub axis, abutment means on each tumblerat one side of the pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder fixedrelative to the case to prevent rotation of the operating member, springmeans normally urging the abutment means into en-- gagement with saidshoulder, cam means on each tumbler at the opposite side of the pivotaxis and adapted to respectively coact with lands on the key bit uponrotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumblers about thepivot axis against the action of said spring means and disengage theabutment means on the tumblers from said shoulder, second abutment meanson each tumbler at the cam ends of the latter, and means fixed relativeto the case engageable with the second abutment means upon excessiverocking movement of the tumblers toward their released positions toprevent rotation of the operating member by said tumblers.

5. The lock assembly set forth in claim 4 in 'which the cams on thetumblers are symmet- 8 rically arranged to enable the key to release thetumblers from said shoulder regardless of whether the key is insertedinto the look from the inner or outer sides of the. lock.

6. A look assembly of the type adapted for operation by key having ashank and having a bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacent oneend of the latter, comprising a case having laterally spaced plates andhaving an annular spacer located between the plates in fixed relationthereto, a hub located between the plates and having the opposite endportions freely rot'atably supported in aligned openings in said plates,said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving the key shank andhaving a slot registerable with slots in said plates for receiving thekey bit, operating members respectively rotatably supported in the caseon opposite end portions of the hub and having portions projectinglaterally through arcuate slots in thespacer, a tumbler located betweenthe operating members to one side of the hub and pivoted intermediatethe ends on the operating members for rocking movement about an axissubstantially parallel to the hub, abutment means on the tumbler at oneside of the ,pivot axis and engageable with a shoulder on the spacer toprevent rotation of the operating members, spring means normally urgingthe abutment means into engagementwith said shoulder, and cam means onthe tumbler at the opposite side of the pivot axis and adapted torespectively coact with a land on the key bit upon rotation of the keyin one direction to rock the tumbler about its pivot axis against theaction of the spring means and thereby disengage the abutment means onthe tumbler from said shoulder.

7. The lock assembly set forth in claim 6 characterized in that a secondabutment means is provided on the cam end of the tumbler and a secondshoulder is provided on the spacer for engagement with the secondabutment means upon excessive rocking movement of the tumbler toward itsreleased position to prevent rotation of the operating members by saidtumbler.

8. A lock assembly of the type adaptedfor operation by key having ashank and having a bit projecting laterally from the shank adjacent oneend of the latter, comprising a case having laterally spaced plates andhaving an annular spacer located between the plates in fixed relationthereto, a hub located between the plates and having the opposite endportions freely rotatably supported in aligned openings in said plates,said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving the key shank andhaving a slot registerable with slots in said plates for receiving thekey bit, operating members respectively rotatably supported in the caseon opposite endportions of the hub and having portions projectingshoulder on the spacer to prevent rotation of the operating members,spring means acting on the tumblers to urge the abutment means thereoninto engagement with said shoulder, cam

means on each tumbler at the opposite side 'of.

the pivot axis and adapted to respectively coact with lands on the keybit upon rotation of the key in one direction to rock the tumblers abouttheir pivot axes against the action of the spring means and therebydisengage the abutment means on the respective tumblers from saidshoulder, the said cam means being symmetrically arranged to release thetumblers from said shoulder regardless of whether the key is insertedinto the look from the inner or outer sides thereof.

9. The lock assembly of claim 8 characterized in that second abutmentmeans is provided at the cam end of each tumbler for engagement with asecond shoulder on the spacer upon excessive rocking movement of thetumblers toward their released positions to prevent rotation of theoperating members by the tumblers.

10. A look assembly comprising a case, a hub freely rotatably supportedin the case, said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving a keyshank and having a slot for receiving a key bit, a member supported inthe case for rotation about the hub axis, a plurality of tumblersarranged in juxtaposition to one another in the case and pivotedintermediate the ends on said member to one side of the hub for rockingmovement about an axis substantially parallel to the hub axis, abutmentmeans on each tumbler at one side of the pivot axis and engageable witha shoulder fixed relative to the case to prevent rotation of saidmember, spring means acting on the tumblers and normally urging theabutment means into engagement with said shoulder, cam means on eachtumbler at the opposite side of the pivot axis and. adapted torespectively engage lands on the key bit upon rotation of the key in onedirection to rock the tumblers about the pivot axis against the actionof the spring means and disengage the abutment means on the tumblersfrom said shoulder.

11. A look assembly comprising a case, a hub freely rotatably supportedin the case, said hub having an opening therethrough for receiving a keyshank and having a slot for receiving a key bit, a member supported inthe case for rotation about the hub axis, a pair of tumblers pivotedintermediate the ends thereof on said member to one side of the hub forrocking movement about an axis substantially parallel to the hub axisand having cam portions at one side of the pivot axis adapted torespectively engage lands on the key bit, an intermediate tumblerbetween the pair of tumblers and pivoted between the ends thereof on thepivot axis of said pair of tumblers, cam means on the intermediatetumbler adapted to engage another land on the key bit, abutment means oneach tumbler at the opposite side or" the pivot axis and engageable witha shoulder fixed relative to said case to prevent rotation of themember, and spring means normally urging the abutment means intoengagement with said shoulder.

12. The latch assembly defined in claim 11 in which the case has innerand outer walls slotted to enable inserting the key into the hub fromeither the inner or outer sides of the case, and in which the cams onthe tumblers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the lands on thekey bit to enable releasing the abutment means on the tumblers from saidshoulder by the key regardless of whether the key is inserted into thelook from the inner or outer sides thereof.

13. The latch assembly defined in claim 11 in which the tumblers areprovided with abutment means adjacent the cams thereon for engagementwith a second shoulder fixed relative to the case upon excessive rockingmovement of the tumblers toward their released positions to preventrotation of said member by the tumblers.

LEON E. WILLETT. RAYMOND G. BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Doubler Apr. 21, 1885Number

